How did people cut their grass before lawn mowers were made?

Answers:
People had other things to worry about back then. http://youtube.com/watch?v=_BTyT_Jwd2I? in my region we used machetes they used scizzors They didn't. Before the invention of mowing machines in 1830, lawns were managed differently from today. Lawns belonging to wealthy people were sometimes maintained by the labour-intensive methods of scything and shearing. In most cases however, they were pasture land, maintained by grazing with sheep or other livestock. Areas of grass grazed regularly by rabbits, horses or sheep over a long period can form a very low, tight sward which is similar to a modern lawn. This was the original meaning of the word 'lawn', and the term can still be found in place-names. Some forest areas where extensive grazing is practiced still have these semi-natural lawns. For example, in the New Forest, England, such grazed areas still occur commonly and are still called lawns, for example Balmer Lawn.

Lawns became popular in Europe from the Middle Ages onward. The early lawns were not always distinguishable from pasture fields. It is thought that the associations with pasture and the biblical connotations of this word made them attractive culturally. By contrast, they are little known or used in this form in other traditions of gardening. In addition, the damp climate of maritime Western Europe made them easier to grow and manage than in other lands. British lawns more or less started around the medieval times within the courtyards of castles for the lords and ladies to take their daily constitutional and escape from the odours of the castle also the monasteries at this time should not be forgotten.

It was not until the Tudor and Elizabethan times that the garden and the lawn became a place to be loved and admired.

Created as walkways and for play areas, the lawns were not as we envisage them today. They were made up of meadow plants, such as chamomile, a particular favourite.

In the early 1600's, the Jacobean epoch of gardening began. It was during this period that the closely cut British lawn was born. By the end of this period, the English lawn was the envy of even the French. It was also seen as a symbol of status by the gentry.

In the early 1700's, gardening fashion went through a further change. William Kent and the age of Capability Brown were in progress, and the vast English Landscapes were seen all over Britain. Lawns seemed to flow from the garden into the outer landscape.

During the Victorian times, as more plants were introduced into Britain, and the influence of France and Italy became prevalent, lawns became smaller as borders were created and filled with plants, statues, sculptures, terraces and water features, which started eating into the area covered by the English lawn.

In the United States, specifically, it was not until after the Civil War that lawns began to appear in middle class residences. Most people did not have the hired labor needed to cut a field of grass with scythes. Average homeowners either raised vegetables in their yards or left them alone. If weeds sprouted that was fine.

Toward the end of the 19th century, suburbs appeared on the American scene, along with the sprinkler, greatly improved lawn mowers, new ideas about landscaping and a shorter work week.

Lawns do not have to be, and have not always been of grass. Other possible plants for fine lawns in the right conditions, are camomile and thyme. Some lawns, if grown in difficult conditions for grasses, become dominated by whatever weeds can survive there; these include clovers in dry conditions, and moss in damp shady conditions. a cicle. I'm not sure if that is spelled right. kinda like what the grim reaper carries. They didn't have lawn mowers that had motors, they were push blades, and it was some tiresome work I bet. usually with a scyth ,,, but that was wealthy,,, most times very few worried about it I think it is called a goat. damn curious people..you know, it is sometimes not so good to know too much.